Europe’s travel elite prepares to do battle at World Travel Awards

The top brass of European travel and tourism are gathering at the Rixos Premium Belek, Antalya, Turkey, as the location prepares to host the World Travel Awards European Ceremony this evening.

Competitors – including top ranking representatives from the leading destinations, hotels, and airlines – will all be hoping to walk away with the most sought-after achievement in the travel and tourism industry – a coveted WTA trophy.

The awards – described by the Wall Street Journal as the Oscars of the global travel and tourism industry – have helped improve quality, value and customer service all over the world during the past 17 years.

Nominees this time around include some of the most respected and successful travel names in the business including: Europcar, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Hilton Hotels, Lufthansa, Hertz, Mardan Palace, Tui Travel, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, and The Rocco Forte Collection.

Fire of Anatolia

Entertainment for the evening will come in the form of the world-famous Fire of Anatolia dance act. This stunning cast of 45 dancers step, stomp and swirl to traditional folk music from the Black Sea to the Balkans.

Traditional Turkish dancing with a collaboration of ballet and modern dance, the performance is backed by swirling Turkish music and drumming. Fire of Anatolia also holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest dance performance with 241 steps per minute.

Hosting the event is Seda Akgul, a familiar face on Turkish TV including TV8. Other entertainment on the night includes The Magic Drifters.

Fire of Anatolia are set to wow the crowds

Around the World

European nominees are among the 5,000 nominated companies listed across more than a 1,000 categories - including airlines, cruise companies, destinations, resorts and hotels in 162 countries – who will take part in the WTA this year.

The highly contended title for Europe’s Leading Airline sees Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, TAP Portugal and Turkish Airlines fighting it out for the coveted title.

Meanwhile, competition is fierce among the countries up for Europe’s Leading Destination.

Travel industry professionals throughout the world have been voting online for their preferred companies and organisations during the past four months.

Voting has now closed and votes counted ready for the big night.

Consumers increasingly use the WTA list of winners as a reliable guide and means of reassurance when choosing their holiday. Companies and destinations that finish up on the winners podium, receive extensive commercial benefits and global profile.